The Brooklyn Nets have begun workouts at the “bubble” in Orlando with something of a new-look roster.
Nets rotation players DeAndre Jordan and Wilson Chandler both opted out of the NBA restart, while Spencer Dinwiddie also announced he would not be playing after a second positive COVID-19 test. Taurean Prince will not be on the roster, either.
Naturally, Brooklyn's front office got down to business signing replacement players, including veteran guard Jamal Crawford and Michael Beasley.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported Sunday the Nets are close to a deal with another veteran: forward Lance Thomas.
The Nets are close to a deal with ex-Knick Lance Thomas, per SNY sources. Brooklyn currently has 13 players on its roster, including recent additions of Jamal Crawford, Michael Beasley and Donta Hall.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 12, 2020
The Nets actually signed Thomas back in September. But he was waived in October just prior to the start of the regular season.
Begley reported at the time the Nets hoped to possibly bring Thomas back once he cleared waivers, though it never happened.
The Nets waived Devin Cannady, CJ Massinburg, C.J. Williams and Lance Thomas, the team announced. Fair to assume that Thomas, an ex-Knick captain, is a candidate to be brought back once Brooklyn has an additional roster spot during Wilson Chandler's suspension.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 19, 2019
Thomas appeared in 46 games with the New York Knicks last season, averaging 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds on 17 minutes per game.
The former Duke product has become more reliable as a pick-and-pop threat. Thomas shot nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc in four-plus seasons with the Knicks, albeit with a small sample size of 1.6 attempts per game.
In any case, Brooklyn will hope Thomas can give the team depth and toughness in the frontcourt. With Jordan opting out and Nicolas Claxton undergoing surgery, Jarrett Allen is really the only center on the roster.
Perhaps Thomas will see minutes as an undersized five, though he has not been much of a rim protector or defensive stalwart in his career.
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